TECHNICAL GUIDELINE

Number (7)

Development of Emergency Response
Procedures for Incidents Involving Dangerous
Goods

June- 2011-

-
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL SECTION (ECS)
0
ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT

Introduction:
Incidents involving dangerous goods are hazardous events no matter how small. They
may effect workers, the public and the environment and often result in substantial
economic loses.
Companies must formulate an effective Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan
and mount an effective initial response. The guideline is not all inclusive. Companies
must do their own Risk Assessment of possible and probable scenarios and prepare
their plan accordingly.
The aim of an emergency plan is to ensure the safety of those on site, to reduce the
impact of the incident on the facility and the environment and to ensure that the local
authorities are called where necessary.
The Progress of an Incident:
1. Initial response phase: Follows immediately after the occurrence of the incident.
Emergency services are not present. The primary consideration is the safety of
personnel. Trained responders should evacuate the personnel, if required, and aim to
combat the incident within the scope of their resources and training to limit its extent
of damage. If necessary, emergency services (Civil Defense) should be called. This
phase should be covered in the emergency response plan.
2. Emergency response phase: Begins when the emergency services arrive and take
over from the local responders. This phase continues until all risks are mitigated.
Management of the incident in this phase is under the control of Civil Defense.
3. Clean-up phase: Clean up commences once the risk is controlled. Disposal of
hazardous waste requires approval from Environment Department.
Planning
a) Risk Assessment and Mitigation
The best way of gaining information is to carry out an audit of the location or the
situations your emergency plan is to be designated to meet. This means more than an
ordinary inspection. It should involve a systematic and objective assessment by
experienced professionals.
An initial assessment of your activities will provide information on the types of
incidents which could occur and the likely severity of these. In the case of a major
facility this activity may need to take the form of a full risk assessment with
consultant assistance.
There are many guidelines or models on risk assessment. Probability, severity and
likelihood are typical factors to consider in risk assessment.
In the case of a smaller facility, a site risk audit can be undertaken. This should result
in two types of information. Firstly, the likely incidents and secondly, the control

measures which can be employed to reduce the risk of these incidents occurring.
These control measures should be adopted as targets under the emergency plan and
implemented as soon as possible.
Planning Procedure

Identify those aspects of

site operations which
could lead to incidents

Determine the likely

impacts of each aspect

Small incidents- on site

impacts only

Identify all risks to

persons & other
Identify equipment,
materials
procedural
and training
needs

Major incidents- off

site impacts likely

Estimate the severity

Identify equipment,
of the impacts
procedural and training
needs

b) MSDS' and Manifests

1. Companies must obtain material safety data sheets for all dangerous goods held onsite and use these as a basis for the planning of incident response.
2. Pollution hazards to the environment may be a foreseen risk of an emergency and
should be discussed with the Environment Department of the Dubai Municipality in
advance.
3. The company must maintain an up to date manifest of all dangerous goods held onsite. This should be stored in a location which is available for use by emergency
services during an incident. This is often a locked cabinet in the guardhouse or
security room.

4. Information which must be retained and updated include plot plans of storage
facilities clearly showing the quantity and location of chemicals stored on site,
location of fire detection and prevention devices, and the building layout.
c) The Incident Plan Management System
The incident plan is a documented procedure for assigning responsibilities for
emergency response, planning actions and to form the basis for training. The key parts
of the plan are:
Personnel and responsibilities
Incident types
Equipment inventory
Training
Communication
1. Personnel and Responsibilities
1.1 The plan must assign a management representative as emergency coordinator and
also designate responsibilities for all other activities defined under the plan. It is best
to work out the command structure before the incident occurs. This may not be the
general manager, but it must be stressed that this person should be trained and must be
given control in the emergency situation.
1.2 All staffs are part of the plan and all must clearly know their role.
1.3 The choice of personnel to perform specially designated functions under the plan
is very important to any emergency procedure. The number of personnel required to
carry out the procedure, their fitness and suitability are of equal importance. In
selecting personnel, remember that they may be called to work under conditions of
physical and mental stress.
1.4 Companies must maintain a complete staff lists as well as current shift register to
assist police and ambulance services to identify injured persons.
2. Incident Types
2.1 Procedures should be specified in the plan for each type of identified incident.
Examples of incidents include: leaking drums or storage tanks; fires; vehicle accidents
in the company; equipment failure resulting to damage or injury; ruptured hoses and
lines; dangerous occurrences.
2.2 Plans for each incident should cover the response strategy, communications, when
to contact authorities, equipment needed, and hazard mitigation measures.
2.3 All staff affected by the plan must receive training.
3. Equipment Inventory
3.1 All needed response equipment must be available at the site where it is to be used.
3.2 A responsible person must be nominated for periodic inspection to ensure that all

equipment and resources are maintained.

4. Training
4.1 Training both theory and practical, including simulated exercises should be given
to all staff whos work may impact on any incident or who may be affected by an
incident. 4.2 All staff on site should be given training in evacuation procedures.
5. Communications
5.1 Communication is the most important element of any good emergency procedure.
When formulating the system keep it as simple as possible. It will be more easily
understood and less likely for a problem to occur if it is kept as simple as possible.
5.2 List of emergency contact numbers must be kept up to date on a regular basis (it is
too late to find out the number has changed when an emergency is in progress)
5.3 Your plan should nominate which senior personnel are authorized after assessing
the circumstances to declare an emergency. However any such list should make sure
that there is no unnecessary delay in identifying a major emergency.
6. Post Incident
6.1 Damage Assessment on the Environment shall be conducted ASAP.
6.2 Immediate measure shall be conducted to prevent or mitigate pollution on land,
air, or water.
6.3 Disposal of waste shall be on DM approved sites and with approval and
coordination from DM.
Reference:
Section 11 of "The Code of Practice for the Management of Dangerous Goods in
the Emirate of Dubai"

For further information please visit

www.dm.gov.ae
or call
Environmental Control Section
Tel.: 6066832 / 6066835 Fax: 7033568